By the end of this guide, you'll have finished your first writing session and know where everything lives.
Most writing apps give you a blank page and get out of the way. Draftingboard goes further — it changes the rules of writing depending on where you are in your process.
The core idea: getting words out and polishing words are different jobs, and mixing them kills momentum. Draftingboard separates them with three distinct writing modes. You pick the mode that matches where you are, and the app enforces that mindset for you.
Everything you write is saved automatically. You never need to hit save.
Create a document
Click Free Write on your home screen, or open the sidebar and click the + next to Notebooks. A new document opens immediately.
Pick a mode
The mode selector is in the top bar. Three options:
| Mode | Best for |
|---|---|
| Ideation | Capturing raw ideas — one sentence at a time, no editing |
| First Draft | Getting a full draft down — text fades so you keep moving forward |
| Freeform | Editing a completed draft — full control, no restrictions |
If you're starting something new, start in Ideation or First Draft. You can switch modes at any time.
Start writing
Just type. Your work saves automatically every few seconds. You'll see “Saved at…” in the top bar confirming it.
Click the ☰ icon (top-left) to open the sidebar at any time.
| Section | What's here |
|---|---|
| Home | Your home screen — recent documents, active projects, quick start |
| Notebooks | All your documents, organized into notebooks and folders |
| Projects | Long-form work organized into chapters |
| Showcase | The Daily Challenge and community writing prompts |
| Docs | This guide and others |
One-tap buttons to begin a Free Write, take a Daily Challenge, or open Settings.
Your last few pieces with word count and when you last edited.
Any projects you're currently working on — with chapter count and last edited date.
Your word count today, this week, and your current streak (if you've set a daily goal).
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